Laos · Basketry / Functional Craft
ຕິບເຂົ້າ (Tip Khao)
The Lao tip khao (ຕິບເຂົ້າ) is the conical bamboo basket used for steaming and serving sticky rice (khao niao) — the dietary staple of Laos and arguably the single most culturally significant craft object in the country. Every Lao household uses a tip khao daily; the basket's conical form, woven from split bamboo in a specific twill pattern, creates the steam circulation structure that cooks sticky rice to the correct texture — steaming inside a pot without touching the water. The procedural knowledge centers on the twill weave pattern (which determines steam permeability and structural integrity), the radial spoke setup that creates the conical form without a mold, and the rim finishing technique that seals the basket edge against steam loss. The tip khao is woven entirely without adhesive or fastener — structural integrity comes entirely from weave tension.
Risk level: Endangered · Not separately listed — embedded in broader Lao intangible heritage
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